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out·line | \ ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 
\
\Definition of outline
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : a line that marks the outer limits of an object or figure : boundary the jagged outline of the mountains
b : shape the sharpening outline of her face— Willa Cather
2a : a style of drawing in which contours are marked without shading
drew a dog in outline
b : a sketch in outline
prepared several outlines of the suggested mural
3a : a condensed treatment of a particular subject
an outline of world history
b : a summary of a written work : synopsis Students were required to give an outline for each assigned paper.
4 : a preliminary account of a project : plan gave the class an outline of the points he intended to cover
5 : a fishing line set out overnight
outline
verboutlined; outlining; outlines
Definition of outline (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to draw the outline of
2 : to indicate the principal features or different parts of
outlined their responsibilities
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Examples of outline in a Sentence
Noun
The pictures were drawn in outline and then filled in with color.
The leaves etched into the vase have a gold outline.
Organize your essay by writing an outline in which you state your main idea followed by your supporting points.
a brief outline of American history
Her speech was written in outline on note cards. Verb
The President outlined his agenda for the next term.
The book outlines the major events of the country's history.
All players must follow the rules outlined above.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The hot orange outline of a man is distinguishable, and he is engaged in digging a grave.
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Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Atlantis': Film Review | Venice 2019," 7 Sep. 2019 Step 2: Line the eyes with black eyeshadow Create a thicker, smudgy outline around the eyes and even on your lids.
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Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "We Can't Get Enough of This Easy Vampire Makeup Tutorial for Halloween," 15 Aug. 2019 The body of the tower is decorated with a floral outline.
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Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "West Chester gets a makeover - or at least, their logo does," 13 Aug. 2019 Trace outline; cut out, forming garland (end skull will be half-skull).
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Joan Lang, Woman's Day, "Skeleton Garland," 9 Sep. 2019 Ancient handprints and outlines were also incorporated into the natural undulations in the cave walls.
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Meghan Miner Murray, National Geographic, "9 of Europe’s underground marvels," 2 Aug. 2019 His politics hew closely to a baby-boomer outline, which is to say that they are deeply felt, heraldically blue, and largely incoherent just beneath the surface.
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Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "Was the Automotive Era a Terrible Mistake?," 22 July 2019 Consider this a makeup beginner’s outline to layering your makeup, step by step.
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Jessica Cruel, SELF, "Here’s a Step-by-Step Guide to How I Apply My Makeup Every Day," 21 Apr. 2018 As covered by Modern Farmer, a new report by The King's Fund, a U.K. healthcare nonprofit, outlines exactly why doctors should prescribe gardening therapy as a remedy for everything from anxiety to cancer.
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Maria Carter, Country Living, "Gardening Could Be the Answer to All of Your Problems, According to Science," 19 May 2016 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The plan, required by the Federal Aviation Administration, is expected to outline major capital recommendations for the airport, including the possibility of a new terminal.
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Susan Glaser, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Hopkins will keep shuttle drop off at north end of terminal; improvements planned," 12 Sep. 2019 At the heart of the matter is an attempt to outline exactly what a contribution to broader society could look like for museums today.
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Suyin Haynes, Time, "Why a Plan to Redefine the Meaning of 'Museum' Is Stirring Up Controversy," 9 Sep. 2019 Singer Kelly Clarkson will host a half hour program to outline the results of the national campaign tonight at 7 p.m. on WTVJ-Ch. 6 in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
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Johnny Diaz, sun-sentinel.com, "Kelly Clarkson hosting NBC and Telemundo’s ‘Clear the Shelters’ pet adoptions special," 23 Aug. 2019 Backers launched a new website, wildfirerecoverynow.com, to outline their reasons for pushing the plan.
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Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "PG&E CEO asks lawmakers to approve $20 billion debt plan," 21 Aug. 2019 Vega and a small faint parallelogram below it are supposed to outline a celestial harp.
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Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: There are many delights to be found in August’s evening skies," 4 Aug. 2019 There, cabinet responsibility and party discipline have broken down, ministers break the ministerial code of conduct and traditions of parliamentary procedure, such as holding a Queen’s Speech to outline legislative proposals, are ignored.
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The Economist, "Are Western democracies becoming ungovernable?," 1 Aug. 2019 Or, use a liquid liner to outline your entire lid, keeping the pen in the crease rather than on the lash-line, and create a geometric look that pops.
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Maya Mcdowell, Marie Claire, "The Buzziest Beauty Microtrends of Summer 2019," 24 July 2019 Overlap sliced strawberries or plums for scales and use sliced fruit to outline heads and make mouths.
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Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "No-Bake Summer Fruit Tart," 18 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for outline
outline
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of outline
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a drawing or picture that shows only the shape of an object
: a style of drawing in which only the outer edges of an object are shown
: a line that is drawn around the edges of something
outline
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of outline (Entry 2 of 2)
: to draw a line around the edges of (something)
: to list or describe only the most important parts of (an essay, speech, plan, etc.) : to give an outline of (something)
See the full definition for outline in the English Language Learners Dictionary
outline
nounout·line | \ ˈau̇t-ˌlīn \
\Kids Definition of outline
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a line that traces or forms the outer limits of an object or figure and shows its shape
2 : a drawing or picture or style of drawing in which only the outer edges of an object or figure are shown
outlines of animals
3 : an often numbered or lettered list of the important parts of something (as an essay)
4 : a short treatment of a subject
an outline of world history
outline
verboutlined; outlining
Kids Definition of outline (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to draw or trace the outer edges of
Outline the circle in gold.
2 : to list or describe the main features or parts of
… Mother went on outlining her plans for the storeroom.— Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill
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